‘Very tense’: Nitish Kumar Reddy’s dad reveals emotion after son’s century

Imagine you are on 99, with a No.11 batter at the other end. 

One ball could have shattered that dream, but it was written in the stars for Nitish Kumar Reddy. Mohammed Siraj sustained the pressure from the other end, giving the strike back to the 21-year-old, who completed his maiden Test century with a four against Scott Boland, leading to the entire Melbourne Cricket Ground going up on their feet. 

Nitish roared in delight, removing his helmet, and soaked all the emotions embracing Siraj. Amidst all the tension out in the middle, there was Nitish Kumar Reddy’s dad, Mutyala Reddy, who broke down in delight, celebrating with the family in the stands. 

“Very, very tense, when Siraj was out there, it was a tense moment, sir. I was very nervous when he was at 99*; I was constantly praying for my kid's century,” Mutyala told Adam Gilchrist, who was interviewing him for the broadcasters. 

So, what does the century mean to the family?

“For our family, it’s a special day and we cannot forget this day in our life. He has been performing well since the age group of 14-15, and now in international cricket, it’s a very special feeling,” said Mutyala Reddy.

Despite not being fluent in English, Mutyala said the family was extremely proud of the 21-year-old’s effort. Nitish became the third-youngest Test centurion for India in Australia and brought up only the third century for India in this tour after Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli's sublime tons in the opener at Perth.